Rebrota de cepas de árvores adultas de acácia-negra (Acacia mearnsii De Wild.)

O rejuvenescimento de árvores que alcançaram a maturidade de acácia-negra (Acacia mearnsii De Wild.) torna-se necessário devido à dificuldade do enraizamento de ramos adultos. Desse modo, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar a influência da altura de cepa no desenvolvimento de brotações e o melhor período para o corte das árvores. Os ensaios foram instalados em um plantio comercial de acácia-negra aos cinco anos de idade, desenvolvendo-se em espaçamentos de 1,0 x 1,30 m. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos ao acaso com seis repetições e seis plantas por parcela. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de diferentes alturas de cepa com corte à altura de: (a) 15 cm, (b) 30 cm, (c) 45 cm e (d) 60 cm. Os ensaios foram instalados no outono (março) e na primavera (setembro). Foram feitas avaliações aos 45, 90 e 150 dias, através da contagem de cepas com brotações e número de brotações por cepa. O corte das árvores na altura de 60 cm promoveu elevado índice de rebrota, com aproximadamente 90% das cepas apresentando brotações novas. Na primavera, obteve-se melhor rebrota de árvores adultas de acácia-negra, em comparação com o ensaio do outono. Esses resultados indicaram a influência da altura de cepa e do período do ano na capacidade de rebrota de indivíduos adultos de Acacia mearnsii.

Análise termogravimétrica da pirólise da acácia-negra (Acacia mearnsii de Wild.) cultivada no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Este trabalho reporta um estudo experimental que objetivou a investigação dos efeitos da temperatura, da taxa de aquecimento e do tempo na eficiência e nos parâmetros cinéticos da decomposição da madeira de acácia-negra (Acacia mearnsii De Wild.) plantada no Rio Grande do Sul. O processo da pirólise da acácia-negra foi investigado por análise termogravimétrica (TGA), e os parâmetros cinéticos foram obtidos a partir de ensaios dinâmicos e isotérmicos. Os ensaios dinâmicos foram conduzidos desde a temperatura ambiente até 900 C, sob taxas de aquecimento que variaram de 2 a 50 ºC.min-1. Os ensaios isotérmicos foram realizados entre 250 e 750 ºC, ao aquecer a amostra até a temperatura desejada e mantendo-se nessa temperatura por 2 h. Os dados cinéticos obtidos dinamicamente foram tratados segundo os métodos de Ozawa e Kissinger. Já os parâmetros cinéticos conseguidos isotermicamente foram calculados ao considerar que a reação de pirólise segue uma cinética de primeira ordem em todo o intervalo de tempo e temperatura empregados. Os resultados denotaram a aplicabilidade dos métodos adotados, visto que os valores da energia de ativação do processo de pirólise, além de se aproximarem entre si, isto é, 170-180 kJ.mol-1, segundo modelos dinâmicos, e 140 kJ.mol-1, segundo o método isotérmico, aproximaram-se também dos valores reportados na literatura sobre a pirólise de compostos celulósicos (150-200 kJ.mol-1). Os resultados contribuem para a melhor compreensão dos processos de pirólise da biomassa, em especial da acácia-negra, o que pode levar ao melhoramento das atuais práticas de conversão da biomassa em carvão vegetal.

Biologia reprodutiva de Acacia mearnsii De Wild.: receptividade de estigmas

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a receptividade de estigmas de Acacia mearnsii De Wild. em 20 árvores da Área de Produção de Sementes (APS) da Fazenda Locatelli, da empresa SETA S.A., no município de Butiá (RS) e comparar os períodos de receptividade de estigmas e de viabilidade polínica em diversas fases da abertura floral. Foi utilizado como método de colorimetria o reagente de Baker para indicar a receptividade e a viabilidade. As análises foram conduzidas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado e a estatística χ2 foi utilizada para verificar a significância dos eventos estudados. Foi observada receptividade no início da abertura floral (71%), alcançando a total receptividade (100%) em plena antese. A viabilidade polínica foi detectada no início da antese (77%) e em total abertura floral (88%). Na fase de senescência foram observados estigmas receptivos (50%) e políades viáveis (23%). Há sobreposição da fase de viabilidade masculina e de receptividade feminina, aumentando as chances de autopolinização. Na maioria das árvores analisadas (85%) foi observada a total receptividade (100%) nos estigmas amostrados. Em três árvores (15%) observou-se uma média inferior a 95% de estigmas receptivos. Não foi observada diferença significativa pelo teste do χ2 na receptividade dos estigmas no germoplasma analisado, sugerindo que o genótipo não interfere diretamente para a receptividade dos estigmas.

Biologia reprodutiva de Acacia mearnsii de wild. (Fabaceae) IV: visitantes florais

Para que as estratégias de melhoramento genético em espécies arbóreas tenham sucesso, o conhecimento da biologia reprodutiva da espécie envolvida é indispensável. Um dos fatores críticos ao sucesso reprodutivo das espécies do gênero Acacia é a presença de vetores para a polinização. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram identificar os visitantes florais em um plantio comercial de Acacia mearnsii De Wild. e quantificar as políades aderidas à superfície corporal dos insetos. As observações foram realizadas em uma torre localizada no plantio comercial durante o período de floração de 2002 e 2003. Os visitantes florais foram capturados no período diurno com o auxílio de rede entomológica e de um cesto aéreo instalado em um trator. No período noturno, os insetos foram capturados com o auxílio de armadilhas luminosas instaladas entre as copas florescidas. Foram observados insetos pertencentes às ordens Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera e Lepidoptera. Os besouros da espécie Macrodactylus suturalis foram considerados como dispersores do pólen de acácia-negra, pela alta frequência de indivíduos presentes no povoamento estudado e pela grande quantidade de políades aderidas no corpo dos insetos capturados (X=229,36 políades/inseto). As abelhas da espécie Apis mellifera, embora tenha sido quantificada uma grande quantidade de políades nos indivíduos capturados (X=448,50 políades/inseto), não foram observadas com frequência na área analisada. Uma das formas recomendadas para aumentar a frequência de abelhas e vespas nos plantios comerciais de acácia-negra é a manutenção de fontes de néctar e a introdução de caixas com abelhas A. mellifera.

Multiplicação de gemas axilares de Acacia mearnsii de wild. Sob diferentes meios de cultura

A propagação de indivíduos superiores de acácia-negra (Acacia mearnsii De Wild.) visando ao estabelecimento de florestas mais produtivas, homogêneas, resistentes a pragas e doenças é uma necessidade nos dias atuais. Este estudo objetivou determinar o melhor meio de cultura, a concentração dos seus principais sais e a utilização de carvão ativado para multiplicação in vitro de gemas axilares de A. mearnsii. Plântulas germinadas in vitro forneceram explantes que foram inoculados em diferentes meios de cultura B5, MS, SP e WPM. Foram testadas diversas concentrações do meio MS: ¼, ½, ¾ e 1/1 (concentração original), 5/4, 3/ 2, 7/4 e 2/1, com e sem carvão ativado. Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos casualizados com cinco, sete e quatro repetições, respectivamente, com quatro explantes por parcela. As avaliações foram feitas em intervalos de 30 dias, através da contagem do número de folhas e gemas e da presença de calos e clorose. Entre os meios utilizados em sua composição original, o MS promoveu a maior multiplicação de gemas (3,7 gemas/explante) aos 30 dias. Entre as concentrações de macronutrientes do meio MS, a diluição para 3/4 da concentração original com a adição de carvão ativado apresentou as melhores respostas para a multiplicação de gemas axilares de acácia-negra (7,7 gemas/explante) aos 60 dias.

Uso de equações para estimar carbono orgânico em plantações de Acacia mearnsii De Wild. no Rio Grande do Sul - Brasil

Para entender a importância das florestas e plantações florestais como sumidouros de carbono, é necessário desenvolver e aprimorar as metodologias de estimativa de biomassa e carbono. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar o estoque de carbono orgânico (CO) em plantações de Acacia mearnsii com 4 anos de idade. A área de trabalho localiza-se na cidade de Arroio dos Ratos, RS, nas coordenadas 30º07'12"de latitude sul e 51º57'45" de longitude oeste, com altitude média de 90 m. Após a realização de inventário florestal, foram abatidas 21 árvores, distribuídas em sete classes diamétricas, para cobrir a heterogeneidade do povoamento. Em seguida, determinaram-se a biomassa e o teor de CO dos componentes: folha, galho vivo, galho morto, madeira, casca e raiz. A estimativa do estoque de CO em povoamentos de Acacia mearnssi e nos seus compartimentos das árvores pode ser realizada por meio de equações matemáticas. O total de CO estocado na biomassa é de 29,79 Mg ha-1, distribuídos da seguinte forma: 64% na madeira, 11% na raiz, 9% na casca, 7% nos galhos vivos e 4% nos galhos mortos e nas folhas.

Comparison of Classical and Secondary Cytologic Criteria Relative to Hybrid Capture for Diagnosing Cervical-vaginal Infection by Human Papillomavirus

Objective To compare the diagnostic accuracy of the classic Meisels cytologic criteria and the Schneider secondary criteria relative to the hybrid capture method for diagnosing HPV infection. Methods This was a retrospective study performed at a public university hospital. A total of 41 patients with a cytologic diagnosis of HPV infection and 40 HPV-negative patients were selected for review of the cervical-vaginal smears seeking to classical and secondary criteria. A single pathologist reviewed the slides in search of the criteria. The classical and secondary cytologic criteria were compared with the hybrid capture for diagnosing HPV infection. Bartleti test was applied for the age analysis, and Fisher's exact test was used to compare proportions. The tests were considered significant when the probability of rejecting the null hypothesis was less than 5% (p < 0.05). Results The Meisels criteria were less sensitive (34.0%) than the secondary Schneider criteria (57.5%) when compared with the hybrid capture (p < 0.0001), although the specificity of the former criteria was non-significantly higher (91.2% and 67.7%, respectively). In cases of moderate or intense inflammation, the sensitivity and specificity of the Schneider criteria were decreased, 33.3% and 50.0% respectively (p = 0.0115). Conclusions Compared with hybrid capture for diagnosis of HPV infection, the sensitivity of the secondary Schneider criteria was higher than the classical Meisels criteria.Moderate or intense inflammation reduces the sensitivity and specificity of the secondary Schneider criteria for diagnosing HPV infection using the hybrid capture as the gold standard.

A Brazilian glycoprotein E-negative bovine herpesvirus type 1.2a (BHV-1.2a) mutant is attenuated for cattle and induces protection against wild-type virus challenge

The authors previously reported the construction of a glycoprotein E-deleted (gE-) mutant of bovine herpesvirus type 1.2a (BHV-1.2a). This mutant, 265gE-, was designed as a vaccinal strain for differential vaccines, allowing the distinction between vaccinated and naturally infected cattle. In order to determine the safety and efficacy of this candidate vaccine virus, a group of calves was inoculated with 265gE-. The virus was detected in secretions of inoculated calves to lower titres and for a shorter period than the parental virus inoculated in control calves. Twenty one days after inoculation, the calves were challenged with the wild type parental virus. Only mild signs of infection were detected on vaccinated calves, whereas non-vaccinated controls displayed intense rhinotracheitis and shed virus for longer and to higher titres than vaccinated calves. Six months after vaccination, both vaccinated and control groups were subjected to reactivation of potentially latent virus. The mutant 265gE- could not be reactivated from vaccinated calves. The clinical signs observed, following the reactivation of the parental virus, were again much milder on vaccinated than on non-vaccinated calves. Moreover, parental virus shedding was considerably reduced on vaccinated calves at reactivation. In view of its attenuation, immunogenicity and protective effect upon challenge and reactivation with a virulent BHV-1, the mutant 265gE- was shown to be suitable for use as a BHV-1 differential vaccine virus.

Comparison of three diagnostic techniques for the detection of leptospires in the kidneys of wild house mice (Mus musculus)

Forty-one wild house mice (Mus musculus) were trapped in an urban area, near railways, in Santa Fe city, Argentina. Both kidneys from each mouse were removed for bacteriological and histological examination. One kidney was inoculated into Fletcher semi-solid medium and isolates were serologically typed. The other kidney was microscopically examined after hematoxylin-eosin, silver impregnation and immunohistochemical stains. Leptospires, all of them belonging to the Ballum serogroup, were isolated from 16 (39%) out of 41 samples. The presence of the agent was recorded in 18 (44%) and in 19 (46%) out of 41 silver impregnated and immunohistochemically stained samples respectively. Additionally, leptospires were detected in high number on the apical surface of epithelial cells and in the lumen of medullary tubules and they were less frequently seen on the apical surface of epithelial cells or in the lumen of the cortical tubules, which represents an unusual finding in carrier animals. Microscopic lesions consisting of focal mononuclear interstitial nephritis, glomerular shrinkage and desquamation of tubular epithelial cells were observed in 13 of 19 infected and in 10 of 22 non-infected mice; differences in presence of lesions between infected and non-infected animals were not statistically significant (P=0,14). The three techniques, culture, silver impregnation and immunohistochemistry, had a high agreement (k³0.85) and no significant differences between them were detected (P>0.05). In addition, an unusual location of leptospires in kidneys of carrier animals was reported, but a relationship between lesions and presence of leptospires could not be established.

Evidence of hantavirus infection in wild rodents captured in a rural area of the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Hantaviruses are the etiological agents of the Hantavirus Cardio-Pulmonary Syndrome, a serious rodent-borne disease in Brazil. In order to investigate the occurrence of hantavirus infection in wild rodents, a survey was conducted in three different suburban areas of the municipality of Pedreira, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Of the 145 wild animals captured belonging to 12 different species identified by morphology and karyological analysis, 107 were rodents of the following species: Akodon montensis, Bolomys lasiurus, Calomys tener, Oligoryzomys nigripes, Oligoryzomys flavescens, and Myocastor coypus. Blood samples from these rodents were assayed for the presence of antibodies against hantavirus by IgG ELISA using Andes recombinant nucleocapsid antigen. Antibody reactive to Andes virus was found in two different species, O. nigripes and O. flavescens. These results indicate a potential risk for hantavirus transmission to humans in this area, where reservoir rodents are present in peridomestic settings.

Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome in farmed wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Rio Grande do Sul

This report concerns an outbreak of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome in wild boars from commercial herds in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The main clinical signs were progressive wasting, respiratory distress, diarrhea, and ocular discharges. Enhanced lymph nodes and spleens, ascites, hydrothorax, and non collapsed lungs were the principal gross lesions. Varying degrees of lymphohistiocytic infiltrates in lymph nodes, spleen, and intestines were the most significant microscopic changes. Although a total of 26 animals had showed clinical and pathological findings consistent with the disease, only in 11 of them it was possible to confirm a PMWS diagnosis through the association of specific lesions in lymphoid tissues with the presence of the viral antigen detected by immunohistochemistry. These findings were similar to those reported in the swine disease.

Physiological response of American bullfrog tadpoles to stressor conditions of capture and hypoxia

The American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), recently named Lithobates catesbeianus is currently farmed for commercial purposes throughout various regions of Brazil. Stressful situations such as problems of management, inadequate facilities and environmental changes with consequent reduction of immunity are common in intensive production. The assessments of these situations of stress allow us detect these problems decreasing the injuries causes by confinement. The main objective of this study was to use the biological markers of plasma cortisol and glucose level and hematological parameters to evaluate the response of bullfrog tadpoles submitted to stressed mechanisms of capture and hypoxia. The animals were subjected to three treatments: stress due to individual capture with a hand net; stress due to batch capture with a hand net; and stress due to capture by emptying. The results obtained demonstrated that there were no statistically significant differences in the parameters tested when comparing the treatments with and without exposure to air (normoxia and hypoxia). Based on these results we can conclude that the stressful stimuli tested were not adequate to alter the biomarker tested. For the cortisol, probably this should have occurred due to the synergistic action between this hormone and thyroxin, which induces metamorphosis in these animals.

Postmortem findings in collared peccaries raised in captivity in northeastern Brazil

This study is a retrospective examination of diseases in collared peccaries that were diagnosed by the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory, Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido. Necropsy and histological examination were performed from 2005 to 2010. Of the 50 necropsied collared peccaries, 24% died due to restraint and capture myopathy; 18% died from trauma; and the remainder was diagnosed with splenic hemangioma (6%), enterolithiasis (6%), gastritis (6%), gastric ulcer (4%), intestinal volvulus (4%), gastric volvulus (2%), mammary carcinoma (2%), polycystic kidney disease (2%), pyometra (2%), and suppurative bronchopneumonia (2%). Twelve animals remained undiagnosed, seven of which (14%) were in advanced autolytic condition and five of which (10%) had no gross or microscopic lesions that were compatible with disease. This paper describes illnesses that have not been reported in the collared peccary, focusing on their clinical and pathological aspects.

Diagnosis of Leishmania infantum infection by Polymerase Chain Reaction in wild mammals

Visceral leishmaniasis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Leishmania infantum (synonym: Leishmania chagasi) and transmitted by the sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis in Brazil. It is an endemic zoonosis in several regions of the country, including Belo Horizonte (State of Minas Gerais). In urban areas, the domestic dog is susceptible and considered the most important animal reservoir. However, L. infantum has been previously diagnosed in other species, including captive primates and canids. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of the agent DNA in captive animals as well as some free ranging animals from the Zoo-Botanical Foundation of Belo Horizonte by Polymerase Chain Reaction. Eighty one blood samples from primates, carnivores, ruminants, edentates, marsupial, and a monogastric herbivore were analyzed. Three primates Alouatta guariba (brown howler monkey), and two canids Speothos venaticus (bush dog) were positive, demonstrating the importance of leishmaniasis control in endemic areas for preservation of wildlife species in captivity.

Molecular survey of porcine teschovirus, porcine sapelovirus, and enterovirus G in captive wild boars (Sus scrofa scrofa) of Paraná state, Brazil

AbstractPorcine teschovirus (PTV), porcine sapelovirus (PSV), and enterovirus G (EV-G) are infectious agents specific to pig host species that are endemically spread worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the natural infection by these porcine enteric picornaviruses in wild boars (Sus scrofa scrofa) of Paraná state, Brazil, and to evaluate peccaries (Pecari tajacu and Tayassu pecari) as alternative host species for these viruses. Fecal samples (n=36) from asymptomatic wild boars (n=22) with ages ranging from 2 to 7 months old (young, n=14) and 2 to 4 years old (adult, n=8) and from peccaries (6 to 8 months old, n=14) were collected from a farm and a zoo, respectively, both located in Paraná state. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nested-PCR (n-PCR) assays targeting the 5'non-translated region of the virus genome were used for screening the viruses. Porcine enteric picornaviruses were detected in 12 out of the 22 wild boar fecal samples. According to each of the viruses, EV-G was most frequently (11/22, 50%) detected, followed by PTV (10/22, 45.5%) and PSV (4/22, 18.2%). Regarding the age groups, young wild boars were more frequently (9/14, 64.3%) infected with PTV, PSV, and EV-G than adult animals (3/8, 37.4%). One n-PCR amplified product for each of the viruses was submitted to sequencing analysis and the nucleotide sequences were compared with the related viruses, which showed similarities varying from 97.7% to 100% for PTV, 92.4% to 96.2% for PSV, and 87.1% to 100% for EV-G. Peccaries tested negative for the viruses and in this study they did not represent infection reservoirs. This study is the first to report the molecular detection of PTV, PSV, and EV-G from captive wild boars in a South American country and the first to screen peccaries as alternative host species for porcine enteric picornavirus.